On 6 July 2026, Saudi Arabia commenced the pilot phase of its new Package Visa, an initiative allowing eligible visitors to obtain tourist visas as part of bundled travel packages through approved general travel and tourism service providers in select pilot markets. This development is the result of coordinated efforts by the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, and the Insurance Authority.1
WHY THIS MATTERS
The Package Visa pilot introduces a streamlined entry process for visitors, integrating flight booking, accommodation, and electronic visa application into a single transaction. This has several practical implications for global mobility stakeholders:
- For HR leaders and mobility managers: Assignments, business travel, and short-term postings to Saudi Arabia may become easier to organize, with reduced administrative complexity and potentially faster processing times.
- For globally mobile employees: The new process can enhance the travel experience by minimizing paperwork, lowering the risk of application errors, and offering improved service support.
- For travel service providers: Bundling visa processing with travel arrangements may increase demand for packaged services and enable providers to deliver higher-value itineraries. These changes may lower compliance risk related to entry procedures and improve planning certainty for business and leisure travelers.
Key Highlights
- Integrated booking process: Visitors can access round-trip flight reservations, accommodation in licensed facilities, and electronic visa applications through a single provider.
- Eligibility and provider criteria: Only highly capable service providers with digital platforms and 24/7 technical support qualify to offer the Package Visa.
- Enhanced visitor experience: The bundled approach reduces administrative steps, offers value-added experiences, and encourages longer, more immersive stays.
- Private sector empowerment: The initiative fosters closer collaboration between government and private travel providers, aiming to stimulate tourism growth and spending.
KPMG INSIGHTS
In light of the changes, organizations and entities might wish to consider the following:
- Organizations may wish to monitor the pilot’s rollout and assess its suitability for employee travel, particularly for short-term assignments or business visits.
- HR and mobility teams may wish to engage with qualified travel providers to leverage the integrated service and check compliance with evolving entry requirements.
- Travel service providers may wish to consider upgrading digital capabilities and support infrastructure to qualify for participation in the Package Visa program.
If assignees and/or their programme managers have any questions or concerns about the scope of the update, its application and potential impacts, and appropriate next steps, they should consult with their qualified immigration professional or a member of the GMS/People Services team with KPMG in the Lower Gulf (see the Contacts section).
ENDNOTE:
1 Saudi Press Agency (SPA), “Saudi Arabia introduces package visa to simplify tourist travel to the Kingdom,” published on 6 July 2026.
Contacts
Disclaimer
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in the United Arab Emirates.
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